Tyler Buchner Has CFB Twitter Abuzz as Notre Dame Beats South Carolina in Gator Bowl
Dec 31, 2022
Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) throws a pass during the second quarter of the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game against South Carolina on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
It wasn't always pretty. Going nearly four months between games will cause some rust. But when Notre Dame needed quarterback Tyler Buchner to step up, he did just that.
The sophomore quarterback threw for 274 yards and three scores and added 61 rushing yards for another two touchdowns in Notre Dame's 45-38 shootout win over South Carolina in Friday's TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field.
But no, Buchner didn't make it easy. He threw three interceptions, and two of them were returned for touchdowns. He only completed 18 of 33 passes. He dug Notre Dame a hole in the first quarter, as his first pick-six gave the Gamecocks a 21-7 lead.
And with Notre Dame driving down the field in the fourth quarter, in the red zone with a chance to go up two touchdowns, Buchner threw his second pick-six, tying the game.
What about a tip of the hat to Tyler Buchner of @NDFootball as he hasn’t played in months but he has shown so much courage . Has taken numerous hits but bounces right backup . Just tied up game at 31 with 44 yard strike . Defense in 4th will decide game btw ND @GamecockFB
For those trashing tf out of Buchner. He was a first time starter that hasn't played since he was injured in week 2. He ain't going to be junior year Clausen. Maybe chill out or take this game off.
Funky play. Didn't look right from the start. Tyler Buchner throws this second pick-six of the game and South Carolina ties it up. Irish could have put it away.
Tyler Buchner just never saw the linebacker. Throwing over the middle was a bad idea there too. South Carolina was gassed and couldn’t stop the run at all.
Again, context is key. Buchner hadn't played since Sept. 10 after suffering a shoulder strain. He was only making the third start of his career. It's just as fair to question some of the play-calling on his interceptions—given how well the Fighting Irish ran the ball—as it's fair to call out his own decision-making.
Oh, and he did still throw the game-winning touchdown.
And luckily for Buchner, he wasn't on an island. The running back duo of Audric Estime (95 rushing yards) and Logan Diggs (170 yards from scrimmage, two scores) gashed the Gamecocks (8-5) all night long.
That, in turn, kept the ball out of Spencer Rattler's hands (29-of-46 for 246 yards, two touchdowns and an interception) for long stretches, a key factor for a Notre Dame defense that struggled to slow him down.
Buchner will want some throws back, no doubt. But he still got the win in the end, he accounted for five total touchdowns. And Notre Dame (9-4) finished an otherwise disappointing season on a high note.
During the opening month of the 2022 season, it seemed like Notre Dame might be headed for a disastrous year. However, the Fighting Irish recovered well under...
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 10: Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) tackles Marshall Thundering Herd running back Khalan Laborn (8) in action during a game between the Marshall Thundering Herd and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 10, 2022 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'5"
WEIGHT: 264
HAND: 9 7/8"
ARM: 34"
WINGSPAN: 81 5/8"
40-YARD DASH: 4.58
3-CONE: 7.28
SHUTTLE: 4.41
VERTICAL: 34"
BROAD: 10'5"
POSITIVES
— Physical at the point of attack and takes on blocks with good leverage out of a two-point stance to help set the edge.
— Solid strength to win as a power rusher with a one-arm stab move or a bull rush, and he's shown a nice rip move as a counter off of the bull rush that he can win with if he starts working to get on an edge.
— Does a good job of working offensive lineman's hands as a pass-rusher.
— Has plenty of athletic ability to develop finesse moves down the line and has shown flashes of winning with a cross chop, hand swipe and ghost rush.
— Impressive agility to avoid losing ground as the looper in line games.
— Swipes at the ball and has a knack for getting strip sacks.
— Very instinctual against the run and can be hard to reach with his combination of agility and block recognition out of a two-point stance.
— Strong enough to get extension and hold ground against tackles.
— Hustle player who will factor into gang tackles down the field and get coverage sacks.
NEGATIVES
— Slow run-pass transitions against play-action.
— Doesn't have a go-to pass rush move that can win with at the moment and doesn't have the speed off the ball to challenge offensive tackles vertically.
— Could make better use of the stem phase of a pass rush by getting upfield initially to give himself a two-way go and keep the tackle guessing.
— Adequate bend to turn tight corners and take an efficient path to the quarterback but lacks ankle flexibility.
— Needs to start working to get on an edge when bull-rushing.
— More passive against the run when working out of a three-point stance. Likes to stand up and see what the offensive line is doing instead of attacking and reacting.
— Lacks violence when trying to disengage and get off blocks and lets offensive linemen hang onto him.
— Not a forceful tackler and will lose ground after contact from physical running backs.
Isaiah Foskey is an interesting projection because he has plenty of traits with his size, strength and athleticism, and he's been productive, surpassing several notable Notre Dame defensive linemen like Justin Tuck and Bryant Young in the school's record books. Typically, that'd make for a slam-dunk top-10 pick.
However, a lot of Foskey's sacks have come when he's either unblocked, is cleaning up from another pass-rusher winning or as coverage sacks, especially this past year. His impressive rushes have come in flashes versus being something he can consistently win with at the next level, and his stiff ankles are concerning for an edge-rusher.
That being said, if the Golden Domer tests well at the combine to confirm his athletic potential, he's a good enough power rusher and can develop a wider pass-rush arsenal down the road to still be a first-round pick. He might just have to wait a little longer to hear his name called on Day 1.
Against the run, there's a lot to like about Foskey's game. He's physical and strong to set the edge and hold ground against offensive tackles, and his instincts are impressive out of a two-point stance. The biggest issue is that he can look like almost a completely different player with his hand in the ground, which could limit his scheme fit.
Foskey is much better from a standup linebacker position. When he is in a three-point stance, it's almost like his natural inclination is to play from a two-point because he stands up and tries to see what's going on, essentially getting to a two-point stance post-snap. So, he'd be best as an outside backer for a team that uses odd fronts.
Notre Dame would occasionally drop him in coverage, so he has experience covering running backs, tight ends and the underneath zones to go along with the athleticism to carry that part of his game over to the NFL. He might not be "off the board" for even front teams, but he'll need the freedom to play from that standup position.
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Notre Dame Starting QB Drew Pyne Reportedly Intends to Enter NCAA Transfer Portal
Dec 2, 2022
Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will reportedly have an opening at quarterback in 2023, as this year's starter Drew Pyne is set to part ways with the team.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Pyne intends to enter the transfer portal and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Pyne started 10 games this season for the 8-4 Fighting Irish, leading the team to an 8-2 record. His 4-1 record against Top 25 teams was the best by a Notre Dame quarterback in the last 10 years, per Thamel.
Notre Dame inserted Pyne as the starter following the team's upset loss to Marshall. He immediately provided a spark and threw for 2,021 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 64.6 percent of his passes and ranking 20th in the nation in individual quarterback efficiency.
If Pyne's last appearance in a Fighting Irish uniform was an audition for other schools, he will undoubtedly have a long list of suitors. He went 23-of-26 for 318 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 38-27 loss to USC last Saturday. According to Thamel, Pyne's "decisiveness in the pocket stood out to opposing coaches, as they characterized him as a quick-twitch thrower."
Pyne was a 4-star recruit in the class of 2020 coming out of New Canaan High School in Connecticut, per 247Sports' composite. He chose Notre Dame over offers from Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma and Auburn, among others.
With Pyne unlikely to play in Notre Dame's upcoming bowl game, it can be expected that the team will turn back to sophomore quarterback Tyler Buchner, who threw for 378 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in his two starts this season.
CFB Twitter Rips Notre Dame Defense as Caleb Williams Pads Heisman Resume in USC Win
Nov 27, 2022
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, left, is chase by members of Notre Dame during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The No. 15 Notre Dame Fighting Irish fell to the No. 6 USC Trojans 38-27 on Saturday and fell to 8-4 on the season following an uninspired performance from the defense.
Notre Dame's defense failed to contain Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams and the USC offense through all four quarters of Saturday's game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Williams, a Heisman Trophy favorite, completed 18-of-22 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown, in addition to rushing for 35 yards and three scores on nine carries. Trojans running back Austin Jones also rushed for 154 yards on 25 carries.
USC put up at least one touchdown in each quarter and totaled 436 yards of offense against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish defense didn't force one turnover, and they allowed the Trojans to convert 8-of-12 third-down attempts.
Following the loss, college football Twitter ripped the Notre Dame defense for its performance:
Notre Dame's defense has given up season-highs of 438 yards and 38 points to the Trojans.
Saturday's loss was a tough way for the Fighting Irish to end their 2022 season, but there's optimism they'll be better in 2023 with another full season of Marcus Freeman at the helm.
Examining Jaiden Ausberry's Impact on Notre Dame's 2023 Season Depth Chart
Nov 23, 2022
Jaiden Ausberry, a 4-star linebacker from University Lab High School in Baton Rouge, committed to Notre Dame in June. The question now is whether he'll make an instant impact for the Fighting Irish.
On the recruiting trail, Ausberry is considered the No. 150 prospect in the class of 2023, the No. 11 linebacker and the No. 7 player from the state of Louisiana, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
It's no shock that Ausberry was among the top recruits in the nation—his older brother, cornerback Austin Ausberry, was a 3-star prospect in the class of 2022 who committed to Auburn.
"It's all about respecting each other's game and pushing each other to be the best," Austin Ausberry told William Weathers of the Advocate in September 2021. "We want to represent our last names. We push each other to be the best we can be. When we were younger and played against each other, it was to ultimately to make both of us better."
Oh, and their father is former LSU inside linebacker Verge Ausberry. So, yes, Jaiden Ausberry comes from a football family.
"They're both hard workers and athletic," University Lab head coach Andy Martin told Weathers. "They're really good character kids. They're coachable. To me coachability is the biggest factor."
Raw talent certainly helps, however. And Ausberry has plenty of that, to go along with a football pedigree.
Cracking the Notre Dame roster as a freshman is no small task, however. Notre Dame has draft-eligible linebackers in Jack Kiser, JD Bertrand and Marist Liufau, so playing time will be available next season.
But alongside the players already on the roster, the Fighting Irish also have incoming 4-star linebacker Drayk Bowen and 3-star Preston Zinter, so Ausberry will have a fight on his hands.
Add in 5-star recruit Jaylen Sneed and 4-stars Josh Burnham, Niuafe Tuihalamaka and Nolan Ziegler from last year's class, and Ausberry's shot at making an immediate impact is slim.
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